Young People’s Blog

Monthly Question Page

Q. I know I am going to Heaven when I die, and yet I still seem to have a fear of death and what is beyond that I can’t seem to shake. Can you give me some verses and thoughts from the Bible to help in this matter?

A. The more we know about what is beyond this life for the believer the less fear we will have of death, and the more we will anticipate and look forward to Heaven and being with the Lord. The Apostle Paul had no fear of death because he knew what was ahead. He had been “caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter” (2 Corinthians 12:4). He says as a result, “For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better” (Philippians 1:23). God hasn’t left us in the dark as to what comes after death.

Remember too, death is not the end of the story. It is only a means of bringing us into the unhindered presence of the Lord. Again, Paul says, “We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord” (2 Corinthians 5:8).

Don’t forget too, that we may never have to face death. We are “looking for that blessed hope” (Titus 2:13). That hope is the Lord’s coming at any moment.

Changed Bodies

In Freeport on Grand Bahama Island, I saw the following sign outside a physical fitness/wellness facility:

New Body Resurrection

Training Center

I couldn’t help but think of several Scriptures, including the following:

“We shall all be changed, In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed” (1 Corinthians 15:51-52).

“For our conversation is in Heaven; from whence also we look for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto His glorious body, according to the working whereby He is able even to subdue all things unto Himself” (Philippians 3:20-21).

Yes, we are looking forward to that time when a wonderful change will take place. “The dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air” (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17).

Monthly Scripture Reading
Matthew 4

12 Now when Jesus had heard that John was cast into prison, He departed into Galilee;

13 And leaving Nazareth, He came and dwelt in Capernaum, which is upon the sea coast, in the borders of Zabulon and Nephthalim:

14 That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying,

15 The land of Zabulon, and the land of Nephthalim, by the way of the sea, beyond Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles;

16 The people which sat in darkness saw great light; and to them which sat in the region and shadow of death light is sprung up.

17 From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of Heaven is at hand.

18 And Jesus, walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two brethren, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers.

19 And He saith unto them, Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.

20 And they straightway left their nets, and followed Him.

His Voice

“And they heard the voice of the Lord God (Genesis 3:8).

“The voice of the Lord is powerful; the voice of the Lord is full of majesty” (Psalm 29:4).

“Thou shalt therefore obey the voice of the Lord thy God” (Deuteronomy 27:10).

Listen!

There are many voices all around us, some good, some bad, some helpful, some harmful. But above all we need to attune ourselves to the voice of the Lord. In many ways, He speaks to us from day to day. Kings, dignitaries, presidents, and prime ministers tend to make themselves inaccessible. Even the rich, famous, and powerful must plow through red tape and protocol to gain an audience and hear their wisdom and advice.

However, the King of kings and Lord of lords makes Himself available and delights to speak to us. The question is, are we listening to and heeding His voice? Many in Scripture and history have ignored His voice to their detriment. Let’s tune in to His voice today, follow His words, and have a happy, fruitful Christian experience.

Dear Young Christian:

Here is a powerful verse to consider this week:

“He, that being often reproved hardeneth his neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy” (Proverbs 29:1).

Wow! Do you refuse to change your ways in spite of repeated warnings? Look out! The Lord may have to speak very strongly. Are you unsaved? Then accept Jesus right now! As a believer, is your life and walk displeasing to Him? Turn around — before He speaks loudly and allows something very serious in your life — maybe even taking you home to Heaven so that you don’t dishonor Him further. The Lord prefers to speak softly, but when we don’t listen, He has to speak louder and with more serious consequences. Just like parents with a stubborn and wayward child, so the Lord loves us too much to let us go our own way.

This is the beginning of a new week — if you have been stubborn and rebellious, confess and forsake it, and make today a new beginning in your life.

Your Christian Friend,

 Jim Hyland

His Joy

“Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God” (Hebrews 12:2).

What joy did the Lord have as the hour of Calvary approached and He was bowed in sorrow in the garden of Gethsemane? What joy was set before Him as He was nailed to the cross, and as He became the sin bearer in those three hours of darkness? It was the joy of returning to Heaven to sit down at the right hand of God His Father, knowing that all had been accomplished on earth to the glory and satisfaction of the One who had sent Him. With confidence the Lord Jesus had said, “I have glorified Thee on the earth: I have finished the work which Thou gavest Me to do” (John 17:4).

Think of the mutual feeling of joy and satisfaction that must have passed between the Father and the Son when the Father, “raised Him from the dead, and set Him at His own right hand in the heavenly places” (Ephesians 1:20).

Now we worship a risen, glorified Savior, remembering that great work that will never have to be repeated.

Going to Heaven

Some people think that as long as they do not hurt anyone or commit gross sins they will go to Heaven. But let’s examine this subject more carefully in the Bible.

The first sin to enter the world was the sin of disobedience. “For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners” (Romans 5:19).

The first recorded sin after the formation of the church is a lie, in connection with Ananias, and Sapphira. “Thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God” (Acts 5:4). The Bible says, “Lying lips are abomination to the Lord” (Proverbs 12:22).

Then what about covetousness? The Lord warned, “Take heed, and beware of covetousness” (Luke 12:15).

We need to also consider the fact that we are born sinners. “Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me” (Psalm 51:5).

The bottom line is just this: It is rejection of God’s offer of salvation through Christ and the work of Calvary that keeps a person out of Heaven. The promise is, “Him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out” (John 6:37). The great question is, Have you come?

A Thankful Attitude

“And let the peace of God rule in your hearts … and be ye thankful” (Colossians 3:15).

Someone has well said: “A thankful attitude opens the windows of Heaven.”

Yes indeed, this kind of attitude will set us free from self-pity and a grumbling and complaining demeanor. It will free our hearts to be thankful and grateful for what our God and Father has done for us and all the many blessings and mercies that we have from His good hand of love. It will give an inward peace to the soul, even though circumstances may be very difficult. It will also help us to be more patient and tolerant with those we interact with throughout the day. In fact, it will give us a whole different outlook of life.

Here is a good daily exercise from the Psalmist of the Old Testament: “Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise: be thankful unto Him, and bless His name” (Psalm 100:4). If we started each morning like that and continued to be thankful throughout the day, wouldn’t it make a difference in how we felt at the end of it? Having a thankful heart at rest and peace when going to bed at night is certainly a commodity of great value.

Young People of Scripture
Ruth

Ruth was a young woman characterized by faith and conviction. As a young widow she embraced the God of her mother-in-law Naomi, and even though there had been much failure in the family, she was convinced that this was the true and living God. Nothing would dissuade her, even when her own sister-in-law Orpah turned back.

She also understood the principle of grace. When allowed to glean in the field of Boaz “she fell on her face, and bowed herself to the ground, and said unto him, Why have I found grace in thine eyes, that thou shouldest take knowledge of me, seeing I am a stranger?” (Ruth 2:10).

Through all the ups and downs of life, the Lord blessed her, and she was eventually married to Boaz, a godly man who truly loved her. A son was born by the name of Obed, and Ruth is mentioned in the genealogy of the Lord in Matthew 1:5.

One great lesson we learn from the story of Ruth is that in spite of failure and difficulties we can always, by God’s grace, overcome and, in the end, be used in blessing to others. Take time to prayerfully read the story for yourself.

Communication

“Then they that feared the Lord spake often one to another” (Malachi 3:16).

The need to communicate is illustrated in this amusing but true story:

A couple celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary by sitting quietly in their parlor with a cup of tea and a loaf of fresh bread. The husband opened the new loaf and gave his wife the heel, or the end crust. She immediately exploded: “This is the last straw! For fifty years you’ve dumped the heel of the bread on me! You always think of yourself first! You take the best and leave the rest to me! You never think of what I like … well I won’t take it anymore!”

Just as she was about to get up and leave, her husband said, “But honey … it’s my favorite piece! I always give it up for you.”

Yes, if we are going to serve and encourage one another in an acceptable way there needs to be communication, and perhaps more particularly a listening ear. Often, we are more apt to speak than to listen and really don’t know what a person is feeling or going through. True service is not always doing something or giving orders but listening first before we speak and do.